1200 Wells Ran Dry Since January, Severe California Drought to Blame

The severe California drought puts count to 1200 wells that have run dry in the state since the year started.

Elaine Moore's family is running out of water, a resource that is becoming more and more valuable as California's drought worsens.

This summer, two wells owned by almond farmers in the Central Valley ran dry.

After the family's previous well dried up last year, they drilled a new one and are now providing water to two of her children. She even helps a neighbor whose well dried up by providing water.

Moore remarked that the previous year had been extremely dry. There wasn't much rain here. There wasn't much snowpack here. Everyone is extremely cautious about the water they use.

Moore's grandchild is draining the kiddie pool so that the restrooms can be flushed.

Megadrought

More rural communities are going without groundwater as a result of heavy pumping that depletes underground aquifers that aren't being replenished by rain and snow in the American West's megadrought.

According to the California Department of Water Resources, more than 1,200 wells have dried up across the state this year, an increase of almost 50% from the same time last year.

In contrast, in 2018, 2019, and 2020, less than 100 wells were reported drying up each year.

The San Joaquin Valley, the agricultural center of California and a major exporter of fruits, vegetables, and nuts, is where the groundwater crisis is worst.

The severity of California's drought, which is currently entering its fourth year, is reflected in its declining groundwater supplies.

More than 94% of the state is experiencing a severe, extreme, or exceptional drought, according to the US Drought Monitor.

State water officials announced Monday that they are preparing for another dry year coming up because the weather phenomenon La Nina is anticipated to occur for the third year in a row year.

California has just undergone its three driest years on record.

Depleted Reservoirs

Farmers need to pump more groundwater to irrigate crops because they are receiving insufficient surface water from the state's depleted reservoirs. Because of this, California's water tables are falling.

According to state data, 64% of wells have water levels that are below average.

Due to its reliance on groundwater, Madera County, which is located north of Fresno, has been particularly hard hit. About 430 dry wells have been reported by the county so far this year.

Furthermore, municipal wells are in danger of drying up due to groundwater overdraft issues caused by agriculture.

Due to dry domestic wells, some families do not currently have access to running water.

Thomas Chairez claimed that the eight-person family he rents out his Fairmead property to previously drew water from his neighbor's well. However, his tenants did not have access to running water when it ran dry two years ago.

Chairez is pleading with the county to offer a water delivery and storage tank service.

For the time being, his tenants must fill 5-gallon buckets at a friend's house and drive each day to transport water.

Read also: Drought Makes California Soil Breeding Grounds for Fungus that Cause Valley Fever 

Well Drilling Frenzy

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order in March to halt the recent boom in well drilling.

The temporary measure forbids local government organizations from issuing licenses for new wells that might endanger nearby wells or buildings.

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which Governor Jerry Brown signed in 2014 to stop groundwater overpumping during the previous drought, has caused problems with groundwater in California as local agencies work to comply with it.

By 2042, regional organizations must sustainably manage their aquifers under the law.

Although the road will be difficult, according to water experts, the law will result in more reliable groundwater supplies for the next two decades.

According to the Public Policy Institute of California, over the next two decades, approximately 500,000 acres of agricultural land, or 10% of the current total, will have to be taken out of production.

Isaya Kisekka, a groundwater expert from the University of California in Davis, said that both the availability of drinking water and the loss of jobs will have an impact on these communities.

Farmworkers are migrating in large numbers as this land is left fallow.

California needs a lot of rain because they run out of water, so Chairez, along with farmers and locals, is hoping for a lot of it, AP News reported.

Related article: California Keeps Experiencing Extreme Drought in Spite of Record-Setting Snow